Exercise And TMJ: Workouts That Can Cause Jaw Pain
Certain exercises and workouts can aggravate the TMJ, leaving you with jaw pain. Even once you know something does irritate your jaw joints, it can […]
Are You Struggling With TMJ?
There’s no doubt about it, living with TMJ can be a frustrating journey. For the 12% of the population afflicted with some level of jaw joint pain, even going about natural, normal tasks can seem like a burden.
TMJ stands for the temporomandibular joints that are attached to the jaw bone and sit in the notches of the skull in front of the ear. When functioning normally, the TMJ will not be a source of pain or discomfort.
However, for folks with dysfunctional jaw joints, managing flare-ups and lessening pain can become nearly a full-time preoccupation.
While TMJ is the name of the joint itself, people who are living with TMJ disorder often refer to it as TMJ for simplicity. In some cases, you may hear of TMJ being used interchangeably with TMJD (temporomandibular joint disorder) or TMJ disorder.
There is a wide range of symptoms that accompany temporomandibular joint disorder. Read on to discover some of the most common ones and see which apply to your circumstances.
What Are The Symptoms Of TMJ?
If you’re living with TMJ, chances are you experience some of the following common symptoms:
- Jaw clicking
- Jaw popping
- Lockjaw
- Limited mobility
- Headaches
- Neck pain
- Jaw spasms
- Misaligned bite
- Jaw clenching or grinding
- Difficulty chewing or eating
- Jaw pain or tenderness
- Ear stuffiness or fullness
- Ringing in the ears or muffled hearing
- And more…
Many people who are living with TMJ identify with a handful of symptoms or more. However, no two cases are identical which can make finding catch-all solutions for pain and symptoms tricky.
It can be quite alarming to experience any one of these symptoms, especially for the first time. Luckily, it’s easier today to find online communities like this one that validate your experience. Having the additional support can be a big contributor to recovery.
Plus, it’s important to remember that your body is powerful. Healing is possible – even if not 100% – and there are always habits you can put in place to decrease the likelihood of TMJ pain.
What Causes TMJ?
TMJ disorder may present itself at any time in a person’s life – often after adolescence. There are a variety of factors that can contribute to the onset of TMJ, but it’s impossible to say what factors have impacted your unique situation without seeing a doctor or dentist.
Major incidents like a car accident, all, injury or even bad dental work may cause some people to develop jaw dysfunction.
For others, it may be the result of less-than-ideal habits like thumb sucking, mouth breathing, or chewing gum. TMJ can often emerge as a result of stress responses like nighttime clenching and grinding. Sometimes, though, it’s just genetic and may be inherited.
It’s important to note that while the original cause of TMJ may be difficult to determine, it is a progressive illness/injury. If you are noticing or identifying with some of the symptoms above, it’s best to start exploring non-invasive options to alleviate them sooner than later.
Self-care and self-awareness will go a long way to help you take inventory of contributing factors and adjust your routine as needed to maximize relief. Understanding more about chronic pain can also help contribute to a more optimistic journey to recovery.
Living With TMJ
Living with TMJ can be a significant source of stress and anxiety for those who suffer from it. Flare-ups can make it difficult to engage in daily activities like eating, sleeping, exercising, working, laughing, hanging out with family and friends, intimacy, and more.
Some people may have occasional TMJ symptoms that interfere with their lives quite rarely, while others may struggle with ongoing headaches, tension, and severe symptoms every single day.
While there is no one-stop cure for temporomandibular joint disorder, there are several things you can do to manage your pain naturally. Some approaches include a daily supplement routine or practicing healthy habits that reduce symptoms.
It’s also important to seek support through your local, qualified, and reputable dental and medical communities.
Lastly, be sure to bookmark this website! Whether you’ve just recently experienced jaw pain and dysfunction or have been living with TMJ for years, you’ll find useful information here.
Living With TMJ provides resources, exclusive content, and practical tips for managing pain, promoting better jaw function, and exploring treatment options.
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Disclaimer: This content is meant to be informational and educational only and is not medical advice. This content does not substitute consulting with a medical or dental professional. Living With TMJ makes no claims to diagnose illness or injury. If you have a medical concern, you should consult with your healthcare provider or seek treatment immediately. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking treatment because of something you read in this blog, on this website, or in linked resources.